FORT BEND COUNTY, TX—The house, over a century old, lacked basic amenities such as proper sanitation and heating. The two children, raised by their grandmother, had to bathe at school, because they did not have the means to bathe at home.
“A social worker told us about them. To flush the toilet, they had to fill a bucket with cold water and pour it into the toilet. We saw that level of poverty so close to home, and it was a real motivator to do something about it,” said Bob Patton, executive director of Family Hope.
The local nonprofit organization mobilized five local churches under the leadership of Word Serve Methodist Church and rebuilt the dilapidated home for the family.
Operating out of a confined, crowded business park in Fulshear with limited resources, one nonprofit organization has performed miracles to illuminate the lives of thousands over the past decade.
Family Hope, a faith-based, local nonprofit organization founded by a group of devoted community members, has significantly impacted the area through its extensive range of services, from providing essential food supplies and furniture to low-income families to offering educational classes and more.
With a mission rooted in Christ-like compassion and community support, Family Hope makes a profound difference in Fort Bend County.
A Humble Beginning
The story of Family Hope began about ten years ago in Fulshear. Initially started as a church initiative, the founders quickly realized that their true calling was in community service, rather than religious outreach.
“[One nonprofit] used to have a food pantry in Fulshear, but they had to close it. [Suddenly,] there was nobody in that area doing any kind of social services,” recalled Patton.
Simultaneously, Patton had identified an emerging trend of churches and individuals in the area with the burning desire to volunteer and to help others, but without a nonprofit to organize their efforts.
“We shifted gears and started a nonprofit,” Patton said.
Family Hope focuses on local needs. Its collaborations with school clubs, community organizations and about a dozen supporting churches set the foundation for what would become a thriving organization dedicated to improving lives.
Today, Family Hope serves a diverse demographic including single working mothers, elderly residents, and a growing immigrant population, particularly Venezuelans. These immigrants, many of whom are highly educated professionals, find solace and support through Family Hope’s programs as they adapt to new lives in the U.S.
“I know of over fifteen thousand Venezuelans in the Katy, Fulshear and Richmond areas. We’re very active with the Venezuelan community. Many of them come to the United States because of the situation in their country with socialism, and a lot of them are very educated people,” Patton described.
“I’ve worked with doctors, engineers, business owners, and they’ve had to close up shop in Venezuela, put whatever belongings they could into a backpack and walk away… we have people with doctorates and Master’s degrees come here. They’re attracted to our area because it’s safe, and it’s familiar to what they knew at home. Many are coming from Maracaibo, which is the oil center for Venezuela, and they were used to living in the oil capital, so they’re attracted to that industry here.”
Additionally, Family Hope works with many single, working mothers, some of whom left marriages due to physical or emotional abuse. The nonprofit also works with elderly people who are barely scraping by.
A Multifaceted Approach
Family Hope’s comprehensive approach to community service is reflected in its five primary areas of focus:
- Food Distribution: The organization provides food to approximately 1,000 families each month through three major food fairs and an emergency pantry. They ensure that families have access to essential dry goods, produce, and additional items like cleaning supplies and hygiene products.
- Furniture Assistance: Recognizing the basic need for comfort and stability, Family Hope engages in efforts from collecting used furniture to providing new mattresses to families. They aim to distribute over 300 mattresses this year to ensure children and families no longer have to sleep on the floor.
- Educational Programs: Partnering with other organizations, Family Hope offers classes in parenting, finance, and job readiness, all from a Christian faith-based perspective. Notably, they assist immigrants in enrolling in English classes to enhance their job prospects and community integration.
- Emergency Assistance: Despite limited funds, Family Hope provides crucial emergency aid for rent and utility bills, a vital service for many struggling families.
- Special Events: The organization organizes impactful events like the Bean and Rice Packings and Back to School Shoe Drives. This summer alone, they distributed 9,500 pounds of beans and new shoes to over 1,100 children.
In regards to education, Family Hope aims to enroll people in English classes, particularly at Houston Community College (HCC). At one, large enrollment fair, they took two hundred people to HCC for enrollment.
“For immigrants, that’s the big thing standing between them and being real contributors to the community. They need English in order to fill the higher level jobs,” Patton noted.
“For example, we enrolled a man in English who was a urologist in Venezuela. Here, he was clearing tables at Chili’s. His wife was a gynecologist. But he knew no English, so he was just doing what he could do. Now, he is in the health field. He’s not able to practice medicine, but he’s using his knowledge and training and becoming part of the fabric of the community.”
Community Spirit and Volunteerism
Family Hope thrives on the generosity of volunteers who contribute their time and effort. From local sports teams to various religious groups, the organization sees diverse community members coming together to support its mission. This collaborative spirit extends beyond local borders, as evidenced by the involvement of volunteers from different cultural and religious backgrounds.
“Many nonprofits are associated with a particular church, but we’re associated with everybody. We recently had a soccer team from Cameroon that came out to volunteer at a food fair, along with ladies from a Hindu group,” Patton recalled.
“We work with volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-Day Saints (LDS), Baptists, Catholics and Methodists. Really, we work with everybody. We like to see ourselves as the community feeding the community.”
Facing Challenges and Looking Ahead
Despite its successes, Family Hope faces several challenges. With a modest annual budget, zero grants and a small staff of five, they operate with limited resources. They are in dire need of a new facility and reliable transportation, such as a van or truck, to support their operations. Additionally, as the organization matures, there is a pressing need for better infrastructure and volunteer coordination.
Patton emphasized the organization’s reliance on community support and the ongoing need for financial contributions and in-kind donations, like rice and other staples.
“We have a wonderful community. The people here are very generous, and they want to care for one another,” he said. “Our job is to float the volunteers and resources into the community where we’ve identified the need.”
As Family Hope celebrates ten years of service, it stands as a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives. From its early days of rebuilding homes to its current role in providing essential services and support, Family Hope has made an indelible mark on the region. Its journey reflects a broader narrative of collective effort and unwavering commitment to improving lives.
Family Hope’s story is a compelling reminder of the difference that compassion, dedication, and community support can make. As they continue their work, they remain a vital resource for many and a shining example of what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause.
FAMILY HOPE
5757 Flewellen Oaks Ln #303
Fulshear, Texas 77441
OFFICE: (832) 332-5163
Connect with Family Hope Fulshear on Facebook and Instagram!
